| Most people have done the Spanish summer | | | | At night the Arenal area bursts with activity. |
| holiday break with the family and experienced the | | | | There are hundreds of little stalls which open in |
| baked beaches of the Southern Costas. There | | | | the evening to sell souvenirs and crafts, and the |
| are parts of the Costa Blanca, however, that still | | | | clubs and restaurants play music well into the |
| have a wisp of old world charm and are still | | | | early hours. A teenage heaven, the Arenal is ultra |
| relatively unspoiled. | | | | popular with younger holiday makers. |
| Javea is such a jewel. Perched on the East coast | | | | All water sports are on offer and most water |
| of Spain, midway between Alicante and | | | | craft may be hired locally. You may hire a bicycle |
| Valencia, Javea enjoys the privilege of being the | | | | for as little as 20 Euros per week and explore the |
| 'Dawn of Spain' and the point where thesun casts | | | | surrounding countryside, rich with orange groves. |
| it's first rays each morning. The climate here has | | | | The Javea Port is a little more sedate and the |
| provided the area with an abundance of orange | | | | haven of those who like a quieter atmosphere. It |
| groves and vineyards and at certain times of | | | | is featured by a pebble beach, sand free and the |
| year the color and perfume of wild flowers | | | | home of the little fishing fleet which produces |
| growing everywhere provides a heady | | | | some of the best seafood on local menus. The |
| atmosphere. | | | | Church of Santa Maria de Loreto dominates the |
| A typical Spanish town with a passion for parties, | | | | Port and is worth visiting to see the interior, the |
| Javea has something to offer most of the year | | | | ceiling fashioned from the upturned hull of a fishing |
| round but really rocks in the summer. Families | | | | boat. Street cafes sell fragrant Spanish coffee |
| have a great time, mostly because there is | | | | and croissants, and you may sit in the sunshine |
| something wonderful for each age group. Most | | | | watching the boats drift in and out of harbour. |
| youngsters make a bee line for the Arenal sandy | | | | The old town of Javea is set slightly back from |
| beach. The sand is pale and powdery, there are | | | | the beach and port area, and here you will find |
| sand toys set up for little ones to play with and | | | | the narrow streets and traditional Spanish houses |
| the sand is within easy sight of parents lounging | | | | typical of the area. It is fun to wander through |
| outside the bars and restaurants that populate | | | | the town and discover the tiny Spanish bars |
| the seafront. | | | | serving tapas and rioja through warm lunch hours, |
| Sand sculptors create masterpieces with sand and | | | | some of these little bars have recently undergone |
| water in the area directly lining the sea wall, there | | | | extensive renovation and now boast all the |
| are umbrellas and sun beds available for those | | | | modern chic you will find in Paris or Rome. On |
| who prefer a little shade and in general the | | | | Thursdays the streets heave with people |
| atmosphere is one of laid back relaxation and fun | | | | shopping at the local market where you will find |
| in the sun. When you get a little peckish, many of | | | | clothes, shoes, local produce and local handicrafts |
| the restaurants will pack lunch for you to take | | | | jostling for position alongside stalls selling sweets, |
| onto the beach or you may stroll into any of the | | | | leather handbags and beachwear. |
| cafes for specialty seafood, paella, or traditional | | | | The best way to see Javea is to base yourself at |
| English grub. Most European cuisines are catered | | | | any one of the fine, privately owned villas or |
| for in this tiny paradise, also there are Indian, Thai | | | | apartments with private pools, available to rent |
| and Chinese restaurants in abundance if you have | | | | via Staying in these luxury homes is not as |
| a liking for something spicy. | | | | expensive as you might imagine and they are |
| Best of all, the water is bright turquoise blue and | | | | definitely better value for money than hotels. |
| shallow, making swimming safe for younger | | | | A diverse collection of activities on offer make |
| children and the elderly. There are disabled facilities | | | | this Spanish seaside town highly popular with all |
| on the beach to make sea swimming accessible | | | | age groups and family groups tend to return year |
| for wheelchair bound folk and the seafront is | | | | after year. |
| relatively level to the carpark. | | | | |